Wild Chickens

So Kauai has thousands of wild chickens. They're everywhere. In the grocery store parking lot, walking around town, on the beach, in the rain forest. Among the many ethnic groups that moved to Hawaii were the Filipinos who brought along their fighting chickens. Well back in the 80's there were a couple of hurricanes that swept across the island and the chickens got loose. Since Kauai is the only island that doesn't have any natural predators that can kill the chickens (outside of cats and dogs) they have flourished. The mongooses keep them in check on the other islands. They're striking looking birds so their fighting Cock lineage is very evident. And they're hard to get a good picture of.

Now you see the babies.

Now you don't

This article has been viewed 62771 times in the last 9 years

Peter: 11th Apr 2006 - 14:28 GMT

wow, these are some lovely photos! you gotta love such sunny, baby-animal pics :) thanks for the post!!

Catherine Penfold-Waxman: 11th Apr 2006 - 15:39 GMT

What beautiful birds. And very nicely captured.

elaine: 11th Apr 2006 - 16:04 GMT

i especially love the 'now you see them now you don't'

Island Flower: 6th Jul 2006 - 22:14 GMT

You probably wouldn't think they were so beautiful if they were outside YOUR window at 3a sounding off...

Island Flower: 6th Jul 2006 - 22:33 GMT

... yassir... gotta smuggle me in some mongeese one of these balmy, tropical nights...

Geoff B: 26th Oct 2006 - 01:14 GMT

Generaly the "fighting cocks" of the Philippines have there combs cut off with a razor when they are chicks.Stops the other oponent cock getting a hold.

Melissa Joy : 26th Nov 2006 - 20:22 GMT

The chickens made my trip! I love them... I took a bunch of pictures of them while i was in Kauai in March

Mona Haggstrom: 4th Mar 2007 - 19:08 GMT

I hope nobody smuggles a mongoose to Kauai. Those are beautiful birds. I love chickens because they are fun to watch and they lay those beautiful eggs.

ian: 16th May 2007 - 14:51 GMT

wow. this is awsome. i never knew there where so many wild chickens in one spot!

ian: 16th May 2007 - 14:55 GMT

by the way island flower, dont smuggle in those mongeese!

ian: do you know what breed these chickens are?

Island Flower: 16th May 2007 - 17:38 GMT

Fine, but im a gonna get me some roasted chicken!!...

rose peatel: 9th Jul 2007 - 19:53 GMT

the second to botom chicken strikes me to be very odd

rose peatel: 9th Jul 2007 - 19:54 GMT

it looks like it has resantly breeded with a mongoose(i have been doing my reaserch)

SCARED SUSIE!!: 7th Oct 2007 - 04:13 GMT

OMG! After booking a trip to kauai, i was told of the wild chickens. I was hesitant to believe such a tale, because i am deathly afraid of poultry!!!!!!! Too bad my tickets are non-refundable!

EvilGentleman: 7th Oct 2007 - 05:23 GMT

I never noticed this article before, but I think I was posting like 10 articles a day when this one came out, so maybe that explains why.

Interesting how people want the chickens preserved, most likely due to the fact that while chickens are easily the most populous of the creatures domesticated by man, it is rare to see them in the wild.

But the fact still remains that these animals do not belong on Kauai. They are not indigenous to Hawaii, and thus are disruptive to the ecosystem. I would suggest either eradicating them from the island completely, or fencing off a few square miles as a wild chicken preserve, and capturing and cooking the rest.

Remember, if the alien chickens are thriving, some native plant and/or animal species are being reduced by either being excessively eaten or having to compete for a food source. Given the diversity of species found on Hawai'i, it is entirely possible that species unknown to science are being driven to extinction as we speak.

Elicar: 7th Oct 2007 - 09:16 GMT

These "wild chickens" you are talking of happen to be the best tasting chicken there is. The meat is a little bit tougher than the antibiotics or whatever crap-fed chicken, but it is very good for chicken stews. The eggs taste the same as "regular eggs".

Here in the Philippines, it is grown by farmers in their backyards. We call them "natives". You cannot find the meat in the grocery store. If one wants a native chicken, he either has to go to a farm or go to a "wet market" (open market) to try and find one. The breed is dying a slow death in the country where it is called "native".

Having a native chicken stew is one of the highlights of my vacations here.

There is nothing scary about them, but the hens will protect their chicks if they feel threatened.

D. Smokey: 8th Oct 2007 - 22:02 GMT

I just returned from Kauai yesterday and I thought the chickens were a hoot. There are definatley more colorful than the ones I've seen here on the mainland. I was suprised that I did not see a lot of chicken dishes offered at the restaurants.

Ilona: Just Brilliant!

Malcolm Read: 31st Dec 2007 - 08:13 GMT

We see thousands of chickens and you would think that eggs would be in abundance under bushes, behind trees, near buildings, on the grass, etc., etc., around the island. But, there are no eggs to be seen, what the heck happens to all the eggs???

emma: 16th Jan 2008 - 14:09 GMT

we own some chickens and they realy do keep you up, somtimes.

gator1: 7th Feb 2008 - 00:02 GMT

yeah uld love to get to come and catch some of them to fight they wouldnt be exactly ready but they would probably be good chickens to fight

kp: 11th Feb 2008 - 20:45 GMT

these pictures are really great, i saw a female duck hide her children just like the hen in the last picture

anna nit: those chicks are adorable.

CG: 20th Feb 2008 - 16:59 GMT

So, these would be "free range" chickens, right? Go for the smaller hens and roast up a storm.

John Vines: I enjoyed these pics. I like chickens.

clucky hen: 31st Mar 2008 - 16:44 GMT

We just returned from Kauai, and we must also admit, the birds made the trip. Everywhere you go, from Walmart to the beach- you will see birds. They are hillarious and beautiful. Not to worry, however, they are aloof enough that they don't harass you or chase after you or your children. Leave them alone, and they will leave you alone too. It is spring and we saw many chicks too. It is so cute to see how they all hang out together, Rooster, his "ladies" and they chicks. All one happy family. Enjoy.

missyelliott: 8th Apr 2008 - 04:25 GMT

If you lived in Kauai and had these god aweful rats with wings crowing under window at 1 and 2 am you wouldn't be saying "how cute" they are! They carry diseases, any ground feeding bird has the potential to carry diseases. I don't want mongoose on the island but we do need to trap and/or stop these cockroaches with wings from exploding. Let me just tell you that bb guns and pellet guns fly off the shelves at walmart, for a reason, PEOPLE HATE EM AND WANT TO DISPOSE OF THEM!!!!!!!!!!!

eyeofodin: 8th Apr 2008 - 04:58 GMT

Well missyelliott, since you annoy me as much as the chickens annoy you, can I buy a gun and shoot you down? Have some respect for life.

missyelliott: 8th Apr 2008 - 06:59 GMT

So do you live in Kauai "eyefodin" ? Do you live under a tree where they are 4 times as loud as a bullhorn at a hockey game? probably not. Again they are rats with wings and carry disease, do you eat meat? They are poultry.

Dom - Channel Islands: 20th Apr 2008 - 13:34 GMT

We've had Hens and a couple of Rooster's in the orchard next to us for months. Their families have grown in the last couple of days, 15 chicks between the two hens. They look just like the pictures above. I know they eat bugs but not sure what else? I don't want to start buying corn to feed them as the are cramping my CAT'S STYLE been on their territory.

Dane: 30th Apr 2008 - 18:41 GMT

Those photos were great. I have a question. Do purebred game hens sometimes lay colored egg? I bought some hens that were supposed to be purebred and some eggs are white, some are light pinkish and some are green. I guess it's possible since domestic chickens originated from the wild variety. There are domestic breeds that lay colored eggs. Please e-mail your comments to Daneann@aol.com. Put Game Chick Eggs in the subject line....I dleate a lot before reading and wat to read all comments about this. Thanks. (I'm afraid that I won't find this site again..I get lost a lot on the web.)

Aussie visitor: 17th May 2008 - 18:40 GMT

I happen to agree with those who don't like the chickens. At first I was curious as to why there were so many and I didn't even like them then. I nearly caused an accident in my car trying to miss one on the road AND that constant cock a doodle dooing is doing my head in. It takes away from the "relaxed" "sleeping in" part of my paradise holiday. Eat them all I say. Get rid of the chickens.

luke: 23rd May 2008 - 00:18 GMT

Peter: 23rd May 2008 - 00:19 GMT

Allan: 2nd Jun 2008 - 12:39 GMT

I have seen original wild birds called red jungle fowls that have been living in the wild since the earth was created. they live in India and Asia. The ones here are the feral ones on the island.

thurmon miller : 25th Jun 2008 - 17:17 GMT

why dont yall leave them chicens alone god gave them a live just like he gave you a live some you people dont have much of a heart why cant you live and let live the ones of you who shoots them with bebe guns are sworry as hell you dum

naturelover: 15th Jul 2008 - 02:00 GMT

For Missyelliot, you ask quite a lot if the person debating you ways in Kauai. First off last time I checked it was quite easy to get rid of chickens i.e. A DOG. And number two, we all have yard pests...for you its feral chickens, for some like myself its black bears, coyotes, bob cats, deer, raccoons, rabbits, ect. All these things and more can cause PROPERTY DAMAGE, personal damage and/or death. But what would you say if we all just eradicated our backyard wildlife b/c it was "annoying" or in my case potentially harmful? If you have any heart I hope you would say deal with it and learn to live around them. So I would consider myself lucky if my biggest gripe was a harmless flock of feral chickens. Try some earplugs.

kauaichick: 18th Sep 2008 - 01:22 GMT

I DO live here and I LOVE the chickens. I wake up at night and I smile and try to fall back to sleep. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. I'll sleep when I'm dead! The chickens are wonderful and I FEED THEM MISSY ELLIOT!!!! I am sad to say we don't like living on this island, not because it's full of chickens but because it's full of jerks who think us haole (white people) came and took it away from them. How sad. Most island people are very nice (including me) but no one takes the time to find that out. Oh well, while we are still here I for one will continue to enjoy the chickens and their babies and will miss THEM terribly when I leave. I won't, on the other hand, miss the narrow minded people who have lived here too long.Earplugs, by the way, work great.

Jennifer: 23rd Sep 2008 - 04:39 GMT

I just got back from Kauai this morning. Yes, there are wild chickens every where & I loved seeing them all over the place while I was there. Seems to me like I heard the lizzards making more noise at night outside my window than the chickens.

I fed them eveyday when I was there!! I couldn't wait to see the mother hens bring her chicks to eat. It was sad to see that several birds get hit by cards each day. The chickens will be a major draw for my return visits. Loved them...all the birds I saw.

Chillygirl: 25th Sep 2008 - 08:17 GMT

I don't live on Kauai, but I think I understand both points of view. As both a hunter and a conservationist, I have a suggestion for both sides to consider. Since the chickens are suffering from disease, obviously from overpopulation due to lack of natural predators, why not cull the population down regularly, sell the nondiseased meat on market to make money for the local industry, keep a certain amount of chickens alive to please the tourist and locals who love them, while thinning the population so the locals who find them annoying will get some rest. And before anyone shouts, "It's cruel to kill the chickens!" please consider. It's more cruel to watch a chicken die from a ravaging disease. A healthy population is a happy one. We had the same problem with deer where I live. Some anti-hunting advocates got some Buffy legislation pushed through and, for a time, we weren't allowed to hunt deer. Lo and behold, since they don't have any natural predator, the deer became overpopulated and thousands of them started dying from diseases and parasites. Let me tell you, seeing an animal suffer like that makes your heart hurt. I'd rather be shot and die fast than die that way. Anyway. There is one more thing to consider. If the bird flu ever reached that island, the locals and the tourists alike would be in for a very rough ride. In fact, given the high chicken polulation, tourism would probably have to be shut down. Learn from nature, folks. Moderation is healthy and good. Be kind, but be realistic too.

Norge: 1st Oct 2008 - 07:26 GMT

I hunt them all the time with a powerful .25 caliber pellet gun. They are extremely wary and impossible to sneak up on---they WILL spot you long before you spot then, so the only solution is to lie in ambush and let them walk up on you. Even hit with the 30 foot pounds of energy in a .25 caliber pellet, they will generally run, as they are extremely tough animals.

Tofuminator: 1st Oct 2008 - 15:45 GMT

They look absolutely delicious, all of them.

cklakken: 2nd Oct 2008 - 04:06 GMT

judging from the beautiful condition of their feathers and their bright , healthy eyes, these are not diseased birds. the weaker will get naturally culled. why does there have to be such crude people in this world? Chickens are great. I can't wait to see these wild ones.

hawaiiansong: 11th Oct 2008 - 18:45 GMT

I had the good fortune to sail into Kauai to repair my sailboat earlier this year. I found the people wonderful, and the chickens remarkable. They seem to have evolved and adapted to things like traffic; I saw none on or along the side of the roadways. What I did see, and have trouble convincing my friends that I saw, was a hen with 4 chicks waiting for a "Walk" sign on the traffic signal and then using the crosswalk! Beautiful! Let's hope the mongoose never finds his way to Kauai.

patfan: 8th Nov 2008 - 05:24 GMT

Sorry guys. I've lived on Kauai a very long time, and the chicken population absolutely needs thinning. I run a restaurant, and they jump on the tables, poop everywhere, and carry salmonella. Think 10lb pidgeon. They do keep the venomous centipede population down (another transplant from SE Asia), but there are way too many. If you turn a light on inside your house at 2am, one will crow, and then the entire valley's roosters go off. If you folks had a neighbor with a dog that barked, no screamed, all night you'd call the cops. If you went to a restaurant on the mainland that had chickens landing on tables, you'd call the Health Department. Visitors to Kauai - please stopfeeding them! If you love them so much, take 'em home with ya.

patfan: 8th Nov 2008 - 05:28 GMT

Oh, and you can't eat them. They live on bugs and horsepoop. With Kauai's diverse population, if you could eat them there wouldn't be so many. Trust me on this one.

stressiam: 16th Nov 2008 - 17:39 GMT

Roosters,Chickens and chicks makes alot of noise, population are growing,and stuff, but we human beings makes noise early in the morning, our population are growing, we carry disease,ect. Why can't we all just live in peace before our world comes to the end.

Manong daikong: 1st Jan 2009 - 21:48 GMT

Another reply in favor of erredicating or at least thinning the chicken population. If you don't live here, you don't see the negatives. In addition to the pooping all over the place and the racket, there are problems with holes they create in lawns as a result of their habit of scratching for food. I mow my lawn with a reel mower and have had to pay for numerous repairs resulting from rocks dug up on my lawn by the chickens. Additionally, more than one elderly person has fallen or twisted an ankle in these chicken created holes. I've also witnessed a near traffic mishap cause by a chicken flying into the driver of a rental Jeep with it's top down as he drove through Waimea town. Good thing the driver maintained his composure.

chickenrgood: 4th Jan 2009 - 06:09 GMT

Wow this is fun stuff. I like chickens- sure who doesn't think they are fun to watch and oooh what pretty colors those roosters are! I have been coming to Kauai since the early 90's and damn the chickens just keep coming. I live here now and will be happy to report to you all - just what a Kauai chicken tastes like. I have trapped two of the lovely creatures and started the deworming/disease control process. It won't be long that the fattening corn, greens and grain will have taken the place of poisonous centipede bodies and bug parts. Mmmm Mmmmm grilled freeeeee range chicken! (perhaps a little Huli Huli sauce) Everybody loves Hawaiian Chickens- some love to watch them- some love to eat them. (I like both) For all of the fabulous bleeding hearts- good for you but really... focus on the species that need you. The blue fin tuna and manatees really need some support. These chickens are cute but do not belong. They sure as heck didn't swim here and I'd bet they didn't fly either. Have you heard what the darling little tree frogs have done to the jungle fuana on the big island- not good. Its true- there are too many people and we just keep invading the wild world around us..... do you have children? What are you doing to reverse the human population explosion?I don't mean to erradicate the prescious poultry just minimize their ecological foot print and perhaps enjoy a few buffalo wings along the way.

Manong daikong: 7th Jan 2009 - 21:10 GMT

Norge, you're right these chickens are a tough breed and it takes a good hit to anchor them. My neighbor has been having a tough time with them He lives at the edge of a subdivision and his property is bordered by a combination koa/grass pasture which is heaven for chickens. As much wild pasture land that they have to roam in, they seem to like being close to humans. He doesn't feed them yet they just love to dig up his wife's plants, etc. Though this guy is an animal lover at heart, the feathered pests have a way of getting under his skin and he recently purchased an air rifle from Walmart to at least keep the rascals under control. His cats used to act agressively toward the chickens but not anymore.

CHICKENS RULE: 28th Jan 2009 - 21:46 GMT

For one, all you haters of nature, it wasnt there fault they were brought to the island, this was man's doing. There now here so get over it and used to it. I live on the island and anyone caught messing with the bird will get arrested. I feed them daily and will continue to do so.

andok manok: 30th Jan 2009 - 12:08 GMT

Ridiculous. I've never heard of anyone getting arrested for "messing with the bird." The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural resources issues permits for the culling of pest animals, including feral chickens, which are causing property damage.

Leilani: 30th Jan 2009 - 17:34 GMT

Sure you can eat them! Roosters can be a bit tough for grilling or roasting but they can be used to make a great chicken stew. Where do you think the chicken at the 'Huli Huli Chicken' roadside stands comes from? Not from Costco! 'Huli Huli Chicken' - yum, yum, yum!

anon (66.193.146.131): 2nd Feb 2009 - 19:03 GMT

If any of you stay in Kauai for more then a day and can get sleep past 3:00 am with these chickens crowing good for you. I personally would not return to Kauai for a vacation simply because of the chicken noise. They might be pretty but they should be contained and perhaps feed people not keep them awake! gah

Manong daikong: 3rd Feb 2009 - 03:51 GMT

Hey, Chickens rule, us Filipinos like to eat chicken and we have many ways of cooking them but we also don't like them digging up our gardens, lawns etc.or having our old folks trip or twist an ankle in the holes that they create in the lawn. The problem is that there's just too many of them since there are no natural predators to control the population. These chickens aren't like other wild birds that mate only once a year. As long as food is available, chickens will keep breeding.

Norge: 15th Feb 2009 - 09:15 GMT

For all you people who are employing .177 Walmart-style air rifles like the Gamo Shadow, take it from me, they are ineffective against wild chickens. Ditto for .22 German makes like the RWS 48. Even the Webley Patriot, the world's most powerful spring piston .25, isn't really up to the task. I'm considering upgrading to a Condor .25 caliber pcp that will produce 50+ fpe. That should suffice to handle even the toughest rooster.

Sandy feet: 19th Feb 2009 - 06:20 GMT

I've been told there's a fellow operating as Chicken Chasers who will trap and remove chickens humanely for a fee. This may be the solution for those of you with chicken problems.

Stantheman: 20th Feb 2009 - 23:42 GMT

Norge, these chickens are tough birds, very fleshy and they look bigger than they are with all their plumage. I used to hunt a lot and as with any other animal, you can't shoot them in the guts and expect a quick, humane kill. You need to place your shot in a vital area... head, lungs, heart to put them down. A 25 caliber gun with 50 + foot lbs of muzzle energy is a lot of air gun. I trust that you are careful in residential areas.

Norge: 22nd Feb 2009 - 05:23 GMT

Stantheman,I restrict my hunting to jungle/rain forest venues where there are no houses and one rarely encounters people. A chicken's head is about the size of a quarter so one needs a telescopic sight, good aim, and a bit of luck to connect at 50' amid the foliage out there. Wild chickens love to retreat into hau, and then it's an even greater challenge just seeing them, much less getting a shot off.

Griz: 16th Mar 2009 - 00:28 GMT

Look, i,m out of work and this sounds like a job and a meal. i'll be your cicken russler.

John Aguilar: 23rd Mar 2009 - 23:31 GMT

All those spots on the highways and roads are not enough to keep the burgeoning numbers of Free Range Chickens in check. Locals say that the insect population is taking a beating (less Centipedes, etc.)but who likes birds around your feet when you dine or hear the Cock-a-Doodle-Doos (all)hours before the sun comes up. They are everywhere and more are hatching. Stayed at the new Westin in Princeville and wake-up calls are unnecessary. Relocating the birds will be shifting them onto someone else. I recommend the locals start acquiring a taste for Roosters first; peppered jerky, fishing/shark bait. Anything to slow the reproductive rate and cut down the noise that steals away the sweet sounds of windy silence. Paradise lost to chickens.

jnnglebunny: 24th Mar 2009 - 22:58 GMT

I live on Kauai.

I kind of have a love hate relationship with the chickens. When i leave the island its like there is something missing because i miss the sound of them going off at all hours. The sound of them crowing is a comfort zone for me. I do much prefer the sound of chickens crowing over car alarms in big cities.

HOWEVER, I DO HAVE A GARDEN and i have to do all kinds of tricks to keep them out.

I have a hen with a bunch of chicks raiding my garden right now. The chicks are so damn cute i do not have the heart to murder them.

I have to go replant a bed they dug up last night...hahaha

artsygrl001: 30th Mar 2009 - 22:51 GMT

I stayed in kauaiat the paradise suites and poipu kai for a whole week and was not once awakened by the roosters or chickens as many of you are complaining about. They were fun to watch and i found the other smaller species of birds far louder and more annoying in the early hours. They were one of the unexpected highlights of my trip and i must say humans as a rule do far more damage to delicate ecosystems... should we be murdered for it? Please leave the pretty chickens alone or move to a different island with the mongoose. Some of us visiting enjoyed the presence of these birds and i did speak to a few natives non of which complained about them. One made a joke that he thinks at the end there will be nothing but cockroaches and chickens but i dont believe he had any real animosity towards them.

zach beasley: 24th Apr 2009 - 18:09 GMT

We have TAME chickens but wild chickens is another story!! I have never seen them butthey must be really cool=)

Sandy feet: 4th May 2009 - 06:27 GMT

My neighbor's friend caught several chickens last week as they were digging up his garden. Wouldn't you know, they were infested with lice!

David: 14th May 2009 - 21:58 GMT

Chickens are an invasive species in Kauai. If you love nature, conservation, and animals then you should want the chickens eradicated so that native birds aren't competing with chickens.

Papa G.: 14th May 2009 - 22:57 GMT

If you love nature, conservation, and animals... you probably don't want to see ANY animals eradicated. Duh.

Manong daikong: 20th May 2009 - 18:54 GMT

As has been previously stated, the problem is that there is an imbalance here. Tons of chickens and no natural predators to keep the population in check. That's why Kauai is over run with them. Lacking natural predators, what other way is there besides erradication to keep the population in check? Perhaps feeding them scratchfeed laced with a sterilization type drug?

ChickenD: 11th Jun 2009 - 17:51 GMT

Great pictures but since I can't resist...the chickens you have are, by definition, feral. The term "wild" would refer to an untamed, but native, animal. This term can not only have a lot of implications with it when referring to city policy on animals; but also because feral animals can often act as an invasive species and help to reduce wild populations. Sorry if that's a bit of a downer..but all that being said, the pictures are great; wonderful post!

EastSideOahu: 26th Jun 2009 - 08:43 GMT

This ongoing conversation about the chickens on Kauai...all the way back from 2006! Seems as though they...the chickens...can be shot, captured, eaten, "killed?", as long as human life is not endangered? I'm a Honolulu kid that's not a hunter but likes the taste of all kinds of birds including pidgeon squab, quail, wild ducks, geese and the like. If the chickens are legal to shoot and eat, I'm packing my pellet gun when I visit kauai in a couple of weeks. Is it legal? It doesn't seem like it not illegal judging from all of the comments I read. Please enlighten me someone! I just don't want any mites or lice and it looks like I might have some problems shooting the birds as it seems as though they're quite good at surviving many of the hunting techniques. Would I need a pelet rifle or would a pump type pelet gun be sufficient? Wonder if the chickens are safe to eat if people are trying to poison or neuter them? Geez! Oh well, looks like I have the longest comment...eh?

Sandy feet: 21st Aug 2009 - 19:47 GMT

EastSideOahu,

My impression of the wild chickens are that they are dirty. You will find many of them around garbage dumpsters, trash cans, etc. One day earlier this year I saw a hen trying to feed her chicks a dead mouse. Do I want to eat them? I don't think so.

In regards to hunting or shooting them, I believe county law permits you to shoot chickens on private property if they have become pests. I don't think they are open to hunting on public lands. You may want to check with the state Division of Foresty and Wildlife.

angelenesdreams: 21st Aug 2009 - 20:11 GMT

honestly...i'd rather eat a wild chicken rather then a bio-engineered corn-fed beakless freak. dirty chickens...funny.

jaspergunsell: 22nd Sep 2009 - 18:11 GMT

the birds are safe to eat,,, tasty , tender and lean. the lice only affects the feathers, commercial raised birds are dusted with pesticides to kill them; if u do intend on eating the birds u kill, check the liver,if it's uniformly dark red to purple, it's safe to eat, if it has spots, bumps or odd colored markings, throw the animal out, it has some form of health issue.hope this info helps, i'v raised chickens all my life, hear on Kauai, i don't have to feed themjust ketch em clean em and cook em up!

Vistor on kauai: 3rd Nov 2009 - 06:22 GMT

What a pain in the ear during the night, with no AC, we are forced to sleep with windows open. I might just go to Wally Mart and get the gun with a night scope... bang bang...good night.

All joking aside - the birds are much like rats with wings, I will not come back here to Kauai again until the bird population is handled...other Hawaiian Islands here I come.

Timeshare owner: 23rd Nov 2009 - 22:24 GMT

My 5th trip (three weeks this time) and the f--g rooster crowed every morning as early as 3:15 am. Really ruined my vacation. They crow 10-12 times, break for 15-20 minutes, then start again, so you can never get back to sleep! Like waiting for the other shoe to drop. I complained to the management almost every day. They've put out traps and caught over 40 birds in two weeks, but not the one outside my building! Now they are looking into feed with birth control (like they do for pigeons). If I didn't own timeshares here, I wouldn't be back. The islanders I've talked to don't appreciate the early wakeup calls, either. They are under the impression they are "federally protected."

barbara kilauea: 26th Nov 2009 - 16:39 GMT

Eat one and let me know if it's too tough. And the person who never heard one in Kapaa why would you. Nothing to eat on the street. Friend's husband started feeding one beauty which had 10 chicks which now has 10 chicks and poop everywhere. It's not pleasant, sanitary or necessary. And there must be a fine for getting rid of them. plus they carry disease.

B: 15th Dec 2009 - 03:53 GMT

I will pick up any unwanted chickens using have-a-heart traps. Email me burnfilms@gmail.com mahalo!

kanaka b: 27th Dec 2009 - 00:22 GMT

I been living on kauai my whole life and know alot about the wild chicken here and understand both the good and bad things of these chickens. The bad-lice,disease,chicken holes,noise,droppings, and of course crop damage the good-bug controlle,makes good adobo,can be raised as pets,and in my opinion i like them more than those mongoose's. alot of people who move here want to get rid of their chickens but most of us locals learn to live with um. and yes pellet guns will work i prefer a .22 cal benjamen or a 10/22 if their in a secluded area but i only kill adult males and i always eat them. and by the way i dont hate tourists i just dont like when people buy a beach hose and call the beach their private beach and dont let locals or tourists enjoy the beach. i am native hawaiian and i enjoy talking story with tourists. by the way what do you do with the chickens you catch B and do you charge? Mahalo nui loa

kanaka b: 27th Dec 2009 - 00:27 GMT

By the way anybody know if their federally protected? and i meant house above sorry for the typo.

K boi: 27th Dec 2009 - 06:44 GMT

Seriously idk how a chicken wakeing u up can ruin your whole vacation? its not like you live here and have to work in the morning and u need all the sleep u can get. come on guys if u really hate the chickens that much dont vacation here. Hey visitor on kauai i hope u get rabies from a mongoose. i dont like the chickens very much but i think their better than the mongoose killing off all our native birds oh and EastSideOahu if u want to hunt and eat chickens u can come my house and get as much as you want heck il let u use my marlin .22 if u want. oh and by the way their not protected you just have to make sure you are not indangering anyone.

kaneohe girl: 6th Jan 2010 - 16:55 GMT

I agree with all those who want them GONE. It's 6:45am here right now and at this moment there is an orchestra of crowing in the trees behind my house. One after the other for about three hours now. This on a daily basis. I've been living in Kaneohe for about 21 years, so I know that these birds were not here when we moved in. The kids in the neighborhood started raising them as pets in the early 90's trying to copy their older cock fighting friends and just let them loose when they didn't want them anymore. Trust me, they are thriving. If i could attach an audio to this I would, it's outta hand.

andok manok: 8th Jan 2010 - 06:44 GMT

kaneohe girl: What area of Kaneohe are these birds in, and are they on private property? There's not many places to shoot airguns in town. This may be a good opportunity for land owners and hobbyists to help each other out.

anon (g0.cache02.knox.tn.ena.net): WHERE AT

anon (g0.cache02.knox.tn.ena.net): 11th Feb 2010 - 15:35 GMT

WHEAR IS THE CHICKENS AT

Norgeiron: 13th Apr 2010 - 22:17 GMT

You must mean, "Kaneohe Girl, where are the chickens located?"

Franny Wentzel: 14th Apr 2010 - 00:42 GMT

Where those chickens might end up...

Pohina: 17th Apr 2010 - 14:01 GMT

Kauai chickens are as much part of the landscape as is the island's mountains, beaches and lowlands. Together they make Kauai what it is. So lay back and enjoy. For those who find them so offensive...try ear plugs. There are also one way tickets back to the mainland available at your local travel agency.

Siling: 19th Apr 2010 - 08:40 GMT

There are just too many of those critters on this island. There are a few neighbors in my area that like to feed them. As a result, the area is overpopulated by these feathered noisemaking and digging machines. My property is all dug up from those pests. One way ticket back to the mainland? Hey, I'm a resident and have been living here all my life. Instead of buying a plane ticket, I'm buying myself a RWS air rifle.

Manucman: 19th Apr 2010 - 18:03 GMT

"Kauai chickens are as much part of the landscape as is the island's mountains, beaches and lowlands. Together they make Kauai what it is. So lay back and enjoy. For those who find them so offensive...try ear plugs. There are also one way tickets back to the mainland available at your local travel agency." Part of the landscape? I think you kidding sista. The chickens didn't start appearing until the late 70's or so. The landscape was nicer back then with out the chickens digging it up. I agree with Siling. Buy one RWS pellet rifle and get rid of the buggahs.

Shirley: 25th Apr 2010 - 04:29 GMT

I’ve recently produced ROOSTER PATCHES that have become a popular souvenir item.Anyone wanting a picture of the Rooster Patch or want to purchase a patch, email roosterandgifts@yahoo.com

DIE chckens!!!: 18th May 2010 - 06:26 GMT

We spent thousands on our first trip off the mainland, USA. We came to the most beautiful spot in the world, and the Garden Isle, Kuai'i. the chickens are a nightmare!! are you people high? Ear plugs? it's NOT just at 4, 5, 6 or 7 am. it's ALL freaking day long.Chickens are NOT part of the Hawaii landscape any more than plastic and trash is on the road! The grounds are pitted, every where you want to eat outside there are chickens and roosters. and they are NOT healthy, there are no predators, and no bad weather to kill the weaker ones. lame and blind chickens limp and amble about everywhere. Want to enjoy a serene moment watching the ocean with my new husband? not without the chickens running up to us - oh and they are NOT feral!!!they flock to anywhere there are tourists! these stupid birds are as tame as the stray cat that likes to show up any time it's cold or hungry. and easily as filthy. loud, diseased, and over populated! and rude! these animals come right up to your room, window or you if you're just standing there and start clucking at you for food! Wild my arse!Kuai'i, you are an amazing and beautiful Island - PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do something about the chickens!!!Mahalo!!!

Phil: 31st May 2010 - 03:42 GMT

Just got back from being a tourist on the island. I found the chickens facinating. Interesting throwbacks, like some ancient tomato, growing madly. Like I had dream, I went to heaven, and there were wild chickens everywhere. Nice ones. Who would have guessed it. Anyway, they were fine with me. If I were hungry I would eat them. I wasn't so I enjoyed them. What a beautiful place, chickens and all. Hey, we saw waterfalls, turtles, dolphins, caves, chickens, and Adam Sandler while there. Mahalo.

DIE chckens!!!: 11th Jun 2010 - 08:34 GMT

Wherever one goes, wherever one visits...one should be open to the joys of the people, sites, sounds, smells, tastes, etc. One should learn to enjoy and appreciate life and make onself so miserable....otherwise, you've wasted the thousands you spent.ALOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHA!!!!

DIE chckens!!!: 11th Jun 2010 - 08:37 GMT

Ooops, meant to say "one should NOT make onself so miserable".AL000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000HA!!!!!!!

kaua'icamper: 16th Jun 2010 - 01:24 GMT

I started going to Kaua'i in the early 80's. When we camped in the cabins in Kokee there were a few roosters that would get us up around 3 am but we used that wakeup to go up to the summit for sunrise. Since I was coming from the eastcoast the time difference worked out for early rising. We never spent more than a couple of nights there as that was the limit of the rental. Then we would camp at Polihale, or Haena beach parks. The natural sounds of the surf were so calming. I kept coming back until around 2005 when after showing up late at Haena, a rooster in the dry cave started up at around 1:30. It completely ruined the experience. I was up and gone before the ranger even got there, and he comes very early. I went around the island to Salt Pond campground, and found that it was completely overrun with chickens and roosters, all dropping crap everywhere for the day tourists to step in and spread around. It was during the bird flu scare and I could only imagine what was possible if the flu was to take hold. Again, the joy of hearing the surf was overshadowed by the sound of dozens of Roosters competing with each other. Polihale was a little better, but not much. I am a vegetarian and do not think that killing the birds would solve anything, as there are just too many, and I do not believe that mass killing solves anything. I do think that the idea of feeding them with birth control would be very humane and would be a great way to bring them back to their original numbers. I got the impression from some of the locals that they liked the chickens bugging the tourists so that they would not also become too numerous...another problem that needs to be addressed...excessive tourism is ruining the laid back lifestyle that Kaua'i used to be famous for. For me, both of these excesses make my coming back to the Garden Isle less and less likely...maybe that is better so I am not one of the excess of tourists that ruin life for the locals. The world is getting too overrun with people who just come to paradise for a couple of weeks and do not see the impact that they create...for those who do come, please do not litter and treat Mother nature like your wastebasket. Peace to all, even the roosters.

Shirley: 19th Jun 2010 - 20:55 GMT

Do come back to Kauai. Not all locals think of visitors as "excess tourists that ruin our life". Most of us enjoy welcoming you and love to "walaau" (talk-story) with you.

SoonToBeResident: 25th Jun 2010 - 07:34 GMT

"Chillygirl: 25th Sep 2008 - 08:17 GMT

I don't live on Kauai, but I think I understand both points of view. As both a hunter and a conservationist, I have a suggestion for both sides to consider. Since the chickens are suffering from disease, obviously from overpopulation due to lack of natural predators, why not cull the population down regularly, sell the nondiseased meat on market to make money for the local industry, keep a certain amount of chickens alive to please the tourist and locals who love them, while thinning the population so the locals who find them annoying will get some rest. And before anyone shouts, "It's cruel to kill the chickens!" please consider. It's more cruel to watch a chicken die from a ravaging disease. A healthy population is a happy one. We had the same problem with deer where I live. Some anti-hunting advocates got some Buffy legislation pushed through and, for a time, we weren't allowed to hunt deer. Lo and behold, since they don't have any natural predator, the deer became overpopulated and thousands of them started dying from diseases and parasites. Let me tell you, seeing an animal suffer like that makes your heart hurt. I'd rather be shot and die fast than die that way. Anyway. There is one more thing to consider. If the bird flu ever reached that island, the locals and the tourists alike would be in for a very rough ride. In fact, given the high chicken polulation, tourism would probably have to be shut down. Learn from nature, folks. Moderation is healthy and good. Be kind, but be realistic too."

Definitely a great solution, the best one I think. Also the idea of simply thinning out the roosters, making it harder for the chickens to multiply was a great thought. Big "chicken traps" could be placed in strategic points around the island that city officials could "clean out" once a day, disposing of the roosters humanely and setting free the hens and chicks. Maybe the traps could be set up in the evenings, quieting a percentage of the noisy things for the night, and emptied in the mornings, where interested hungry people could pay a small fee (or free!) to have some delicious chickens to take home. For a little extra cash, the cleaners could even do the chopping for ya! The local government creates new jobs, the animals suffer less, there is less noise at night, and there are less guns firing around your lovely town. Win-win!

SoonToBeResident: 25th Jun 2010 - 07:35 GMT

Oh, and did anyone else get here by googling "wild chickens on the big island" or something similar?

barbara beissert: 28th Jun 2010 - 16:01 GMT

Keep your kids clear of parasites and away from wild chickens and feces. End up donating to clinics. My fault and surprise got bit by brooding hen. Hard. And local friend says they go for the eyes of the menehuene height. So please protect the kids.

Chuck: 22nd Jul 2010 - 19:49 GMT

I visited Kauai about a year ago and won't be back again. They have lost this tourist for good. I went there for rest and relaxation, but the constant crowing of the roosters, especially very early in the morning was just too much. They drove me crazy. They were even crowing right outside my open bedroom window waking me up several time each night and morning. I'll be going to Maui from now on.

Mason: 7th Aug 2010 - 18:18 GMT

Hot damn. I am here now on vacation and it's only my second day. I was talking to some of the locals and they hate them (obviously I'm sure not all of them do). One lady told me to come back packing. If only. Back home in Texas if we had this many chickens the population would certainly be ...thinned... I'm thinking a nice remington 870 or little silenced .22 pistol... If this weren't a crazy commie state these folks would be honorary Texans. Big trucks, big people, big hearts, and a beautiful (formerly sovereign) state. Just no guns or political sense...

A chicken lover: 14th Aug 2010 - 18:54 GMT

I think it is terrible to kill the chickens! I mean we are the ones who started this. WE let the chickens free and let them run off on us it's not the chickens fault, it's OURS.

SoonToBeResident: 16th Aug 2010 - 03:16 GMT

@A chicken lover: Of course it's our fault. That is completely irrelevant. The question is, how do we fix it? Do you have a solution or not?

Kauairesident: 24th Aug 2010 - 08:57 GMT

Mason, I like your idea about the Remington 870. Don't forget to thrown in a truckload of shells. We're getting damned tired of these noisy pests waking people up early every moring and digging the place up. As other people have mentioned, they're fithy as hell also.

My brother's neighborhood was getting overrun with chickens and somebody finally decided to do something about it and started poisoning them. Dead stinking chickens everywhere for a while. I don't condone poisoning, it's inhumane as hell, but whoever did it apparently had had enough. Now the neighborhood is nice and quiet...until more start filtering in from surrounding areas.

sick of them: 22nd Sep 2010 - 21:31 GMT

Anyone know how to get rid of them without a gun?

Franny Wentzel: Deep fat fryer?

kauai resident: 23rd Sep 2010 - 07:02 GMT

I have more than a few roosters nearby my bedroom window, that now that my neighbor cleared his trees have ALL decided to sleep in the only trees in the area; mine. Man, it's insane. I used to be able to ignore it after a while with them spread out but now it's too much. I also know that free range is better meat than factory crap. Posters here from the island who say they are diseased because why? they eat bugs!!! LOL. don't know that the protein in bugs makes the meat substantially nutritionally superior. What i don't know about is that they do carry heartworm from mosquitos among other things and i don't know if cooking will render them for human consumption. I also have dogs who i feed raw meaty bones and organ meats and i know dogs have strong stomach acids that can kill many microscopic "bugs" that humans couldn't handle...I have a shotgun for home defense and some acres but am afraid the noise of my 870 would cause a big problem.So i am going to get a strong pellet gun i guess and start my own elimination/ diet program. If they are too tough or whatever , the dogs will have low cost fresh meat/bones (look it up raw diet for dogs).Soup will be on... btw there are no chicken meat producers here.. some free range beef, but organic free range chicken costs from $4.00 /lb (wings) to $12. lb. for breast meat.

aloha

Oahu guy: 9th Oct 2010 - 07:27 GMT

To Kauai resident,above:If you want to feed them to your dogs, you better buy a scoped pellet rifle. Believe me, it takes a head shot to put one down with a pellet, no matter what the caliber. I've hit 'em with .177, .22, and .25, and the pellet size doesn't matter----if it's a body shot, it'll run off and die in the bush, never to be seen again. Out in the jungle, I shot one in the body with a .22 long rifle hollow point, and unlike a pellet, the bullet did the job----that rooster dropped out of the tree and expired instantly. However, you can't go around shooting firearms in residential areas, so you're restricted to a pellet gun and head shots.

Kauairesident: 10th Oct 2010 - 05:10 GMT

Oahu guy,You have to hit them in the back a couple inches behind the neck. Ideally as it is facing away from you. That is a lung shot and puts them down almost as quick as a head shot. RWS 48 or 350 Magnum in 22 will shoot right through them at respectable range.

Oahu guy: 13th Oct 2010 - 07:27 GMT

Kauairesident,I had a RWS 48 in .22 and did some damage to the chicken population with it. Then I traded it for a Webley Patriot .25 as I figured a 31 grain Kodiak would be more lethal. Nope---it just wasn't as accurate as the 48 and if I did hit them, they still managed to get away the majority of the time, so I sold it. Now I'm using a modded Talon SS .22 that puts out about 26 fpe and is very accurate and quiet. I may change the barrel to a 14" or 16" .25 and get 45 fpe. I'll try your back shot recommendation. Another guy said to shoot for the wing roots, where they attach to the spine. So many chickens, not enough time.....

Barry Collins..Atlanta, Ga: 15th Oct 2010 - 03:39 GMT

I loved seeing them...the roosters are so various and colorful.I agree there are too many.A good solution maybe to introduce mammalian predators like the other islands have to keep their numbers down...becjr@bellsouth.net

Kauairesident: 19th Oct 2010 - 08:46 GMT

Barry Collins, The outer islands have mongoose and they eat EVERYTHING, song birds and all. If you know of a predator that eats only chickens, let us know.

Oahu guy: 30th Oct 2010 - 20:25 GMT

Kauairesident,i took your advice and hit a rooster today in the wing/lung area with a .22 Kodiak He ran 20 feet and went down for the count.

Kauairesident: 8th Nov 2010 - 06:48 GMT

Oahu guy,Today I hit a rooster in the back of the neck as I desribed, previously...shoot from above and behind them in the back a couple inches behind the neck. He went down and flapped around for a few seconds then expired. I used Beeman .22 Crowmagnum in my RWS 48 @ about 30 feet.

tired vacationer: 10th Nov 2010 - 22:44 GMT

I went to Kauai in October and stayed at the Marriott Vacation Club. Very nice facility, they had me take a time share preview. Who are they kidding, I would never pay them $30,000 or more, plus $2,000 a year, for one week of no sleep. The rooster starting crowing early in the morning, I got no sleep for the week, came back more tired than I have been in years. I will not be going back to Kauai until they fix this mess.

Oahu guy: 15th Feb 2011 - 07:39 GMT

Kauai Resident,I upgraded my Talon air rifle with a 17" .25 barrel generating 46 fpe and unleashed it on the wild chickens. Hit one behind the neck and it was all over for that foul fowl.

We're on our last night, Yes they are noisy, but really not a big deal. Can't sleep at 4am? Go for a nightime beach walk, and take a nap in the afternoon when they are quiet(er). It would be great to have a sterilization method to control the population. But let's hope all you gun nuts keep it in your pants - I'd be more worried about one of you shooting me than the chickens shitting me. (especially that lunatic from Texas. You people really are going to elect Palin aren't you). Well to all the locals... Thx for a wonderful vacation!

ALM: 7th Mar 2011 - 18:52 GMT

Chickens belong in the oven, not in the yard.You wouldn't think they were so cute if that rooster was crowing under your window every 8 seconds, day and night. Nor would they be fun to look at in your yard if you were attempting to rent or sell your home and had them running around crapping all over and crowing, incessently, scratching up your newly planted seedlings and grass.Vacation guests do not wnat to listen to chickens cackling and roosters crowing and if you have to be up at 6AM to work every day, I doubt you want to go for a nightitme walk where the noise of the crowing outweighs all other sound.

There is an epidemic of wild roaming chickens and roosters.They need to be rounded up and have a big chicken fry!

anon (165.248.247.131): good job kaui

Awesomely cool guy.: 27th Apr 2011 - 03:22 GMT

The photos are cool, I went to kawaii 6 or 7 times and liked it. The only thing bad is all the chickens!!!

kamaaina: 31st Jul 2011 - 04:42 GMT

The original Polynesian settlers brought these birds over in their canoes, along with the pigs that have since become the islands' wild boars. They are not chickens, they are red junglefowl and they are as native as the Hawaiian people, the coconuts, taro, etc. I agree that there are too many of them, but I think their history should count for something when considering their place on the islands.

David Sumile: 9th Oct 2011 - 20:34 GMT

My downstairs old lady talks so loudly on the telephone right outside of her unit, no one needs to hear her drama outside. She is babysitting and smokes around kids and screaming at kids playing outside. The talking is so loud that is makes me very irritated. I am just tired of being tired and it is so loud that I can't sleep, think or anything. And stop feeding the chickens on the sidewalks! Chicken droppings on the sidewalks stinks and smell come into the house and it seems the condo managers and board of directors could care less and they are helpless.

Kauai resident: 24th Oct 2011 - 20:06 GMT

I let the chickens be for a while as I was busy with other chores and now they're all over the place again. Digging things up, crowing 24 hours and crapping all over the place. Problem is that there are some people in the area that feed them so they multiply like crazy.

naturalpredator: 29th Oct 2011 - 21:48 GMT

There's far too many to shoot... What would be the most humane way to poison the ones that are invading my property? I've tried everything I can to keep them out, really don't have any more money to throw at this problem.

Oahu guy: 7th Nov 2011 - 07:41 GMT

A rooster settled into the tree across from my house and spent about a week driving the neighborhood crazy with crowing that started at about 3:30 am. Then he started raiding my yard and digging up all the mulch around the plants, exposing their roots and making a mess. This morning I caught him at it again and ran for my .25 caliber pellet gun. End result? Problem solved, until the next rooster shows up.

North Shore, Oahu: 21st Nov 2011 - 04:02 GMT

I trapped over 30 of them last year. But they're back.They start crowing about 3am and don't stop. One goes off them 10 more in the area kick in.We should start a program to feed the homeless. I'll trap them if someone will cook them.

Oahu guy: 30th Nov 2011 - 23:19 GMT

What did you do with them when you trapped them? If you let them go, they'll continue multiplying. You could trap a bunch and give them to the Institute for Human Services to feed the homeless.

Upper Wailua Homesteads: 16th Dec 2011 - 22:24 GMT

Our neighbors are most certainly chicken 'sympathizers'. They feed them and provide a sanctuary for any and all (newcomers and old). I work from home so the rooster crowing periodically throughout the day aint cool. When I hear the newest batch of chicks chirping, it only reminds me of the pain to follow as they grow older.

Up until now, it has been somewhat rare for them to spill over into our yard. When they do, a few times I have caught some by hand, corning them against the fence -- some truly stupid ones forget they can fly when under the pressure of the chase. On those rare capture occasions I put them into our trap/cage, then escort and release them into the wilderness a few miles up the road. For the trap, I am still hoping to discover an irresistible bait -- any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Does poison actually work ? Or is it time to order the pellet gun. Lots of good suggestions on this site.

Oahu guy: 6th Jan 2012 - 07:18 GMT

Don't use poison---somebody's dog, cat, or child might ingest it accidentally. And if you are trapping and releasing a few miles up the road, you are just compounding the problem. Yes, it is time to order the pellet gun.

Upper Wailua Homesteads: 7th Jan 2012 - 17:10 GMT

I can't shoot into the neighbor's yard so I would need to attract the chickens into OUR yard (over the short fence). Any suggestions ? Irresistible bait or chicken chumming products ?

Louise: 7th Jan 2012 - 19:03 GMT

If u shooting them, I sure hope you are eating them! Good (free) eating!

Ray: 8th Jan 2012 - 01:30 GMT

Just returned from Kauai. The only place I didn't see a chicken was on the property of the island's one and only KFC!

Oahu guy: 21st Jan 2012 - 19:33 GMT

To Upper Wailua Homesteads guy,The irresistible bait you're looking for is mulch.Just put some mulch around the plants in your yard. The chickens will come in to scratch in the mulch to get the bugs.

Upper Wailua Homesteads: 22nd Jan 2012 - 02:07 GMT

Thanks Oahu guy...I'll try that. On Thursday morning, right outside our front door in the entryway vegetation, a hen had made a little nest area. I ended up 'relocating' her and the 9 chicks up the road a few miles. The chicks must've hatched that day because we hadn't heard their chirping until then (that's what gave them away).

This is a losing battle -- later in the day I heard more newborn chicks chirping next door. At least there's one less fertile hen in the area now...

Tourist: 30th Jan 2012 - 07:54 GMT

We are 4 th time return visitors and so love the island...as a conservationist by trade..I am not coming back. The chickens have overrrun us..no vacation when you are kept up all night. I hope the locals will act to control this issue before things get so far gone people will become sick form their overpopulation. some may think they are pretty, most think KaUai has a BIG problem...Why can' t locals see this is going to get really bad ? the difference in 5 years is amazing.....then there is the issue of the awed companies...run off/ chemicals etc, your beaches are in trouble near Waimea!! Thanks for listening.....good luck

Derrick: 22nd Feb 2012 - 22:33 GMT

I went to Kauai last Thanksgiving day. I was immediately alarmed about the overpopulation of the introduced chickens. They are indeed pretty birds but their overpopulation is so great, I would think that the states government would call for them to be contained or destroyed. When animals overpopulate like they have, they usually end up spreading and mutating desease. Many people dont understand the extend of the threat of not only the feral chickens, but the overpopulation of one of their ony predators, feral cats. its a cycle of problems that the government must make some sort of a priority or the results could and probably be very dismal.

K: 6th Mar 2012 - 07:59 GMT

There some on Maui too, but it seems on Kauai there are much more ...

Anyone tried using a slingshot on them? Was it effective?

Oahu guy: 15th Mar 2012 - 19:51 GMT

I have hit them solidly with steel ball bearings fired from a hunting slingshot and they just run off squawking. You have to use a pellet rifle.

FYI: i have recently been informed that not only is it illegal to kill a chicken on Kauai, but also to relocate them. The Kauai humane society will euthanize a sick or injured chicken if brought in. They charge a fee for healthy chickens. They will not euthanize chicks. Some cultures in Kauai will use the chicken for soup, but this is definitely not the type of chicken you can buy in the store. I would not recommend eating them. Annual eradication would be ideal. Hunters could be involved with that.

Hingo Jamqa: Bitch Please....

praveen: yeah its wonderful ,i like that.

Shary: 9th Aug 2012 - 00:49 GMT

past week's project (I bveelie I am now caught up since my trip) has been a long time in the making. Last May I had the idea to put together a promotional video

Jan J: 29th Sep 2012 - 17:50 GMT

I just got back from Kauai. I raise exhibition chickens at home and live with several roosters right under my bedroom window. I don't let them free range because we have a plague of predators. I did not see diseased chickens on Kauai, they seemed quite healthy, in fact, with no evidence of feather mites or lice. What disease do you all think you can catch from chickens, anyway? Cancer, heart disease, diabetes?

Chicken birth control is very easy, you collect their eggs. True, this would be harder in dense vegetation. I thought it was ironic that with all the chickens the price of eggs on Kauai was twice as high as at home. And for the people who think you can't eat feral chickens because they eat bugs and scratch in horse poop, you need to see what goes into the feed of those commercial broilers you buy at the store...animal byproducts (guts), urea, antibiotics...yum!

makansascity: 19th Feb 2013 - 23:06 GMT

best chicken ever if you love Indian game birds

Oahu guy: 5th Apr 2013 - 07:03 GMT

Come on, give us some more wild chicken stories, how they're tearing up your yard, how you're hunting them etc. This thread is just sitting here gathering dust.....

Caro: 19th Apr 2013 - 21:07 GMT

I was in hysterics with the feral chickens on the grass verge waiting for bread scraps and looking for insects whilst i was on Kauai, there was over 30 of them...the grass verge was outside Kentucky Fried Chicken fast food folks. Perhaps tomorrows menu?

Oahu guy: 27th Apr 2013 - 07:37 GMT

Where on Oahu can one go to hunt wild chickens with a pellet gun? It can't be in a suburban area with houses all around. Where are there chickens in uninhabited areas of the island?

elmet: 5th May 2013 - 23:33 GMT

chickens rule. go shove yourself you anti chicken creaton,

Trip advisor : 11th May 2013 - 16:47 GMT

Riotous roosters ruined our Kauai vacation. Every morning, at 0400 the roosters start screeching and the horrendous noise continues until after 0900...lousy way to start the day...a gang of dastardly birds hung out in the Prince Kuhio condo gardens and the talk aroundThe pool was about how none of us wouldReturn to Poipu...once a dream...now a nightmare.